popular delectations, which
wandered hither and thither, you might see the pompe of the goddesse
triumphantly march forward: The woman attired in white vestiments, and
rejoicing, in that they bare garlands and flowers upon their heads,
bedspread the waies with hearbes, which they bare in their aprons, where
this regall and devout procession should passe: Other caried glasses
on their backes, to testifie obeisance to the goddess which came after.
Other bare combs of Ivory, and declared by their gesture and motions of
their armes, that they were ordained and readie to dresse the goddesse:
Others dropped in the wayes as they went Balme and other pretious
ointments: Then came a great number, as well of men as women, with
Candels, torches, and other lights, doing honour to the celestiall
goddesse: After that sounded the musical harmony of instruments: then
came a faire companie of youth, apparelled in white vestiments, singing
both meter and verse, with a comely grade which some studious Poet had
made in honour of the Muses: In the meane season, arrived the blowers
of trumpets, which were dedicated unto Serapes, and to the temple before
them were officers and beadles, preparing roome for the goddess to
passe. Then came the great company of men and women, which had taken
divine orders, whose garments glistered all the streets over. The women
had their haire annointed and their heads covered with linnen: but
the men had their crownes shaven, which were the terrene stars of the
goddesse, holding in their hand instruments of brasse, silver and gold,
which rendered a pleasant sound.

The principall Priests which were apparelled with white surplesses
hanging downe to the ground, bare the relikes of the puissant goddesse.
One carried in his hand a light, not unlike to those which we used in
our houses, saving that in the middle thereof appeared a bole which
rendred a more bright flame. The second attired hike the other bare
in his hand an Altar, which the goddesse her selfe named the succor of
nations. The third held a tree of palme with leaves of gold, and the
verge of Mercurie. The fourth shewed out a token of equitie by his left
hand, which was deformed in every place, signifiing thereby more equitie
then by the right hand. The same Priest carried a round vessell of gold,
in forme of a cap. The fifth bare a van, wrought with springs of gold,
and another carried a vessell for wine: By and by after the goddesse
followed a foot as